The Anker Nebula Capsule Air is the corporate’s newest can-sized projector. I’ve reviewed the Capsule 3 and the unique Capsule. They each carry out nicely for one thing so small. The Air is dimmer than the Capsule 3, considered one of my picks for finest transportable projectors, nevertheless it’s additionally smaller and cheaper, an inexpensive tradeoff relying on how you intend on utilizing it.
Like
Enjoyable sized
Full model of Google TV
Helpful non-obligatory equipment
Do not like
Not very shiny
Not very correct
The standard caveats apply to the Capsule Air, in that it is not very shiny and its picture is not very correct. However maybe that is a excessive bar for one thing the scale of a Coke can. With Google TV inbuilt it is a unbelievable and transportable method to watch absolutely anything, wherever.
Specs and such
The Capsule Air can also be accessible in black.
- Decision: 720p
- Lumens spec: 150
- Zoom: No
- Lens shift: No
- Battery life: 2 hours (claimed, Eco mode)
- LED life (Regular mode): 30,000 hours
The Capsule Air is a tiny projector with tiny specs to match. It is 720p when most projectors are 1080p or 4K, however there’s a built-in battery that ought to final round 2 hours. For one thing the scale of a beverage can, that is all completely tremendous.
Anker claims a light-weight output of 150 lumens. I measured 84 within the Customized mode and 102 within the less-accurate Convention mode. That is definitely in the identical vary of different tiny pocket projectors. The unique Capsule, for comparability, put out 85 which is successfully the identical. The distinction ratio is surprisingly good — once more, for a small projector — at 381:1. That is double what the unique Capsule may handle and greater than some latest, bigger and costlier projectors.
There is not any zoom or lens shift — no shock there — however there’s an autofocus that robotically adjusts should you transfer the projector. Anker recommends display screen sizes from 30 to 80 inches, principally as a result of bigger photos might be fairly dim. That is, in any case, solely 85 lumens. Whereas 100 inches is feasible, the projector begins getting huge mad and repeatedly requests you to maneuver it nearer to the display screen. You possibly can nonetheless focus the picture at that distance, although. And so long as you do not disturb it additional it will definitely stops pestering you.
Connections
- HDMI inputs: 1
- USB port: 1 (USB-C)
- Audio: Bluetooth
- Web: Wi-FI 2.4GHz/5GHz
- Distant: Backlit, additionally an app
Regardless of its small measurement and certain anticipated use as a conveyable streaming show, there’s an HDMI enter on the again. That is nice if you wish to join a recreation console, as an illustration. It could possibly double as a Bluetooth speaker, and is roughly the scale of 1, too. It will not play as loud as a devoted speaker, nevertheless it sounds respectable sufficient should you simply wish to carry the only gadget.
In contrast to some transportable projectors, the Capsule Air has an USB-C connection that may cost and, in some circumstances, totally energy the projector. When you have a battery financial institution with a 45W output (PD2.0), you’ll be able to improve the 2-hour playback claimed playtime in Eco mode. If you do not have a battery like that already, Anker sells one which’s constructed right into a tripod base that doubles the playtime and provides the Air slightly place to sit down.
A screw-on base is included within the field which helps you to tilt the Air so it could mission larger than the place it is sitting. There may be some upwards throw, however the backside of the picture is roughly the peak of the Capsule. So if the projector is on the ground and also you need the picture excessive on the wall, this tilting base permits that however on the expense of getting to make use of keystone correction. This base additionally has a metallic ring that permits you to grasp the Capsule the wrong way up. Anker envisions hanging it from a hook on one wall to mission on one other. Intelligent thought, that.
Image high quality comparisons
Aaxa M8 Laser Projector (assessment pending)
The Capsule 3 is the larger, extra highly effective brother to the Capsule Air. It is what spending a bit extra can get you. The Aaxa M8 Laser (assessment pending) is roughly the identical value because the Air, however with completely different design priorities, as you will see. I linked them to a Monoprice 1×4 distribution amplifier and considered them side-by-side on a 102-inch 1.0-gain display screen.
The touch-sensitive high lights up with extra buttons when in use.
The 2 Capsules are way more related than they’re completely different. They’ll produce — when you flip off all of the extraneous image “enhancement” settings — a fairly correct picture that is pleasing to look at. Whereas the colours aren’t tremendous correct, they’re shut sufficient given the scale and value. The distinction ratios aren’t wonderful, however they’re at the very least pretty much as good as many costly, full-sized, 4K projectors.
So what does spending extra on the bigger Capsule 3 get you? Wanting nearer on the numbers: The three is slightly brighter at 123 lumens, and its distinction ratio is slightly higher, at 471:1. Aspect-by-side these variations are delicate. With common content material does the three look slightly brighter and slightly extra contrasty? Sure… however barely. Personally, I believe I would go for the Air and simply make the display screen slightly smaller.
The three is certainly not cumbersome, nevertheless it’s noticeably bigger. It is not that it could not slot in the identical locations, nevertheless it has roughly 50% extra whole quantity which could possibly be noticeable in a backpack or purse. The Air can also be, as of this writing, 30% cheaper. Whereas I have never reviewed it, the Capsule 3 Laser is probably going slightly brighter than both of those, nevertheless it’s much more costly. Which is to say, sure the bigger Capsules are marginally extra succesful, however the Air performs nicely sufficient and wins out on measurement and value. To me, measurement and value are the purpose in a pico projector.
In the meantime, the aggressive Aaxa M8 Laser is a little bit of a shock. I’ve reviewed a couple of of Aaxa’s projectors, and whereas they’re usually shiny for his or her measurement and value, the picture high quality hasn’t been nice. The M8 Laser is wildly oversaturated, virtually cartoon-like, however the picture is sort of good in any other case. It has an almost 3x higher distinction ratio than the Capsule Air and is considerably brighter. Even within the Regular brightness mode it places out an impressive-for-the-size 343 lumens.
I am unable to totally say it wins towards the 2 Capsules nevertheless, extra that it is an alternate for particular makes use of. For one, the streaming choices are extra restricted, together with the cell, standard-definition model of Netflix. Additionally, the followers are significantly loud. To get the spectacular brightness there are tiny followers spinning away like their lives rely on it, which may be distracting, relying how shut you are sitting. Nonetheless, should you undoubtedly want greater than the Capsule Air’s 85 lumens and you do not thoughts one thing that is bigger, louder, and fewer handy, the M8 Laser is an attention-grabbing different. I am going to dive in additional with our full assessment quickly.
Can the can? It could possibly.
The Capsule Air is a great evolution of Anker’s transportable projector design. Each technology will get higher in a roundabout way. Make no mistake, the Capsule Air is dim. However for the worth and measurement this looks as if an inexpensive tradeoff. I just like the included tilting-base and the non-obligatory tripod equipment, although the latter does improve the overall value a bit. For one thing to take tenting, or an impromptu film evening within the basement, nevertheless, the Capsule Air’s spectacular portability is unbelievable.
